2015 Kia Sorento
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 750 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 7th highest complaint count among 23 Sorento model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 20 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 24 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideMay 10, 2021
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles previously recalled under recall 20V-519. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
An electrical short in the HECU increases the risk of a fire while parked or driving.
Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. Dealers will install a new multi-fuse, and inspect the HECU for leaks, replacing the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on July 2, 2021. This recall supersedes previous NHTSA recall number 20V-519. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC212.
Campaign 21V331000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/modulePark outsideAug 27, 2020
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2013-2015 Optima and 2014-2015 Sorento vehicles. Brake fluid may leak inside the Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU), possibly resulting in an electrical short.
If the HECU short circuits, there is an increased risk of an engine compartment fire.
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the HECU for leaking brake fluid and replace the HECU if necessary, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from other vehicles and structures until the recall repair is completed. The recall began October 20, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC197.
Campaign 20V519000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasoline, delivery, hoses, lines/piping, and fittingsDec 19, 2018
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2011-2017 Optima, 2012-2017 Sorento and 2011-2018 Sportage vehicles that previously received an engine replacement under recall number 17V-224, warranty, or the Knock Sensor Detection System (KSDS) Product Improvement Campaign. The high pressure fuel pipe that connects to the fuel pump outlet may have been damaged, misaligned or improperly torqued during the engine replacement procedure, possibly causing a fuel leak.
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Kia has notified owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel pipe, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began January 17, 2019. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC172.
Campaign 18V907000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
113 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Oct 7, 2018
THE EXTERIOR HANDLE CAP FELL OFF OF MY VEHICLE. IT KEEPS THE DOOR HANDLE IN PLACE. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY BUT WHEN I SEARCHED, HUNDREDS OF OTHER KIA OWNERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE, SOME WERE BRAND NEW. THE PART IS $10 BUT KIA WANTED TO CHARGE 60 PLUS $100 FOR LABOR. THIS PART FELL OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING WHICH EVENTUALLY CAUSED THE DOOR HANDLE TO FALL OFF WHILE DRIVING.
Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2018
WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK AFTER A SOFTWARE UPDATE AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP IT BECAME SLUGGISH AND DIFFICULT TO DRIVE. I WAS JUST COMING OFF A LOCAL HIGHWAY ONTO A SURFACE STREET WHEN THIS OCCURRED. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THE ICON ON MY DASHBOARD IN MY CAR'S MANUAL. IT TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT SO I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER - 6 WEEKS AGO! APPARENTLY THE SOFTWARE UPDATE THEY DID TO PROTECT MY CAR DAMAGED IT INSTEAD. I HAVE BEEN IN WEEKLY CONTACT WITH THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY ARE GETTING VERY LITTLE INFORMATION OR HELP FROM KIA, WHO APPARENTLY CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO FIX MY CAR. I AM NOW CONCERNED ABOUT THE DAMAGE BEING DONE TO MY CAR SITTING FOR THAT LONG WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN AND NOW I WONDER IF THIS WILL CAUSE MORE PROBLEMS IN THE FUTURE. NOT HAPPY WITH KIA'S INABILITY TO FIX MY CAR. I BOUGHT IT USED SO IT DOESN'T FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW AND I NEED TO KNOW IF I HAVE ANY LEGAL RECOURSE. I HAVE MADE 2 CAR PAYMENTS WITH A THIRD COMING UP SINCE IT HAS BEEN SITTING AT THE DEALER WAITING FOR WHATEVER DECISION THEY END UP MAKING. THE DEALER HAS BEEN GREAT ABOUT IT AND PROVIDED ME WITH A RENTAL, BUT THIS IS ALL GETTING OLD REAL FAST!
Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 13, 2018
2015 KIA SORRENTO SXL ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND VEHICLE VERBAL WARNING THAT MY TRUCK HAS A SERIOUS ENGINE PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE CHECKED. I TOOK MY TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE THREE TIMES IN ONE WEEK TO RESEARCH AND REPAIR THE ENGINE ISSUE. I PAID OVER $300 FOR REPAIR. I WAS TOLD MY ENGINE HAS METAL FLAKES AND IT'S NOTHING THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE CAN DO TO REPAIR IT. I WAS TOLD TO LIVE WITH THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT BASICALLY. MY ENGINE HAS LOW TAKE OFF SPEED WHEN GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT RUNS ROUGH.
Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 19, 2018
I HAVE 2 CONCERNS, 1 MAINLY I HAVE A NEWER 2015 KIA SORRENTO WITH UNDER 25K MILES, OWNED IT ABOUT 2 YEARS EVER SINCE I OWNED IT THERE HAS BEEN A TICKING IN THE ENGINE AND WHITE SMOKE BLOWING OUT THE EXHAUST. WHICH SHOULD NOT BE THECASE WITH A NEWER CAR, AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. ADDITIONALLY WHEN I TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER IT SMELLS LIKE VINEGAR OR DIRTY SOCKS AN AWEFUL SMELL, ONCE AGAIN THE DEALERSHIP STATED NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. IT SOUNDS LIKE KIA IS COVERING UP OLD DEFICIENCIES WITH THEIR ENGINES AS IT SAID ENGINES MANUFACTURED INTO LATE 2014 WERE RECALLED HOW IS THE 2015 KIA, WHICH WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2014 NOT ON THE RECALL LIST? ADDITIONALLY THERE HAVE BEEN MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE LISTING THE ENGINE SEIZING UP. MY WIFE DRIVES THIS CAR WITH MY SMALL CHILDREN IM WRITING THIS RETRACTIVELY IN CASE SOMETHING HAPPEN. ADDITIONALLY WE GET REGULAR OIL CHANGES DONE. I THINK THIS ENGINE MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED. AS A NEWER ENGINE SHOULD DEFINITELY NOT BE BLOWING WHITE SMOKE OUT OF THE EXHAUST NOR TICKING LIKE THE COMPONENTS ARE DISPLACED.
Other or unspecified, Jul 3, 2018
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO METAL FILINGS IN OIL SAID BY DEALER TO BE RELATED TO BEARINGS. SAME ISSUE THE 2014 KIA SORENTO WAS RECALLED FOR. MY CAR WAS MADE AT THE SAME ALABAMA PLANT IN 2014 BUT IS A 3.3L. NO ONE CAN TELL ME HOW MANY WARRANTIES HAVE BEEN REJECTED OR HONORED FOR ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THE FEDS ARE INVESTIGATING IF KIA RECALLED ENOUGH CARS. DID THEY? MY CAR WAS MADE IN THE US..BUT SHIPPED AND SOLD IN CANADA. ASKING FOR INFORMATION ON THIS PROBLEM AS REPORTED. THANK YOU. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, May 2, 2018
HORRID SMELL COMING FROM AC. LAST SUMMER IT SMELLED LIKE VINEGAR, THIS SPRING, CAT URINE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE SYSTEM CLEANED/DEODORIZED FOR $65. SADLY DIDNT HELP. THEY ARE TAKING IT BACK TO DELVE INTO CLEANING THE EVAPORATOR? I HOPE IT DOESNT COST MORE, BUT THERE ARE SO MANY ACCOUNTS OF THIS ON KIA....PEOPLE GETTING HEADACHES FROM THE MOLD, AGGRAVATING KIDS'S ASTHMA....TALK OF A LAW SUIT, ETC. KIA HAD BETTER BUCK UP AND FIX THIS! I CALLED KIA CONSUMER COMPLAINTS...THEY ARE "NOT AWARE" OF THE PROBLEM...THO THERE WAS A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TBS) ON OLDER KIA'S ABOUT THIS. BASICALLY, THEY HAVE CONTINUED WITH A BAD DESIGN.....BUT PEOPLE WILL GET SICK HAVING THAT BLOW IN THEIR FACES! PLEASE LOG YOUR COMPLAINT AT: HTTPS://KSUPPORT.KIAUSA.COM/CONSUMERAFFAIRS
Other or unspecified, Mar 8, 2018
WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH OUR SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT AND CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN STARTED TO FLASH. WE PROCEEDED TO THE EXIT AND AS WE WERE TAKING THE EXIT ALL THE LIGHTS CAME ON IN THE CAR STALLED. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED AND WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE WAS BAD AND ONE OF THE CYLINDERS WAS NOT OPENING. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN TWO YEARS OLD AND THE ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE FAILING
Other or unspecified, Feb 19, 2018
TAKATA RECALL,BACKUP CAMERA NOT WORKING,
Other or unspecified, Jul 9, 2017
CAR WAS PARKED,I LOCKED THE CHILD SAFETY LOCK,ON BACK DOOR NOW IT WILL NOT OPEN,THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Sep 6, 2016
THE SUV HAS BEEN HAVING WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM TAILPIPE AND THE CAR HAS BEEN PULLING. IT MAKES UGLY NOISE WHEN WE TRY TO ACCELERATE ON THE FREEWAY AND PULLS. THE OIL LIGHT ISN'T COMING ON TO TELL US WHEN THE OIL IS LOW EVEN IF IT'S NOT TIME FOR A PIL CHANGE. WE SEEM TO NOTICE THAT THE CAR IS BURNING OIL MORE FREQUENTLY THAN A NORMAL VEHICLE. ALSO NOTICE SLUDGE WHEN WE CHECK THE OIL EVEN IF WE HAD JUST HAD A OIL CHANGE IT SEEMS TO COME BACK. THE DEALER KEEPS TELLING ME THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THEY TELL ME THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG.
Other or unspecified, Jun 3, 2016
BACK PASSENGER SOOR ONLY OPENS UNDER EXTREME PULLING ON HANDLE OR PUSHING FROM INSIDE HARD...THE INSIDE FRAME COMES LOOSE AND THEN WE BANK IT BACK IN PLACE WITH ONES FIST....NEXT TIME ,,,,IT STICKS AGAIN!! VEHICLE PARKED OF COURSE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 27, 2016
SOOO MANY COMPLAINTS OF KIA DOORS NOT OPENING FROM THE INSIDE. KIA IS NOT ISSUING A VOLUNTARY RECALL OF THIS. THEY SHOULD ASAP! AS SOON AS SOMEONE'S CAR CATCHES FIRE AND THEY CAN'T GET THE DOORS OPEN, THERE WILL BE SERIOUS LAWSUITS. IF YOU ARE UNDER WARRANTY WHEN THIS HAPPENS, YOU ARE GOOD TO GO. BUT ONE BY ONE, THE DOORS STOP WORKING....AND IF OUT OF WARRANTY, DEALERS WANT $400+ PER DOOR LOCK. IT WOULD BEHOOVE KIA TO FIX THESE ASAP BEFORE SOME CHILD GETS TRAPPED INSIDE. GO TO CARGURUS.COM AND YOU WILL SEE ALL THE COMPLAINTS.
Other or unspecified, Jun 25, 2015
DRIVING ON MILD SUMMER DAY (~70). LIGHTLY-PACKED CARTOP CARRIER AFFIXED PROPERLY/SAFELY TO KIA CROSSBARS (INSTALLED BY KIA). DRIVING ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH "PASSING LANE" TRAFFIC (ABOUT 75MPH). RUNNING AC AT ABOUT 70 INSIDE, WITH ALL WINDOWS UP. PANORAMIC SUNROOF CLOSED, WITH INNER SOFT SUNSHADE ALSO CLOSED. ABOUT THREE HOURS INTO FIVE HOUR DRIVE. SUDDENLY, WITHOUT ANY VISUAL WARNING (E.G., ROCK, SHARD), WE HEAR AN *EXPLOSION* SOUND FROM ABOVE, ALONG WITH THE SOUND OF GLASS CLANGING EVERYWHERE AND THE RUSH OF HIGHWAY AIR. I QUICKLY SWITCH MY HAZARDS ON, DECELERATE, AND PULL OFF THE ROAD AS QUICKLY AS I CAN. I NOTICED THAT NO NEIGHBORING VEHICLES AS MUCH AS FLINCHED DURING THE INCIDENT, NOR DID ANYONE STOP ... AS IF NOTHING APPEARED TO HAVE HAPPENED EXTERNALLY FROM THEIR POINT OF VIEW. WHEN WE GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE, WE SAW THAT THE FRONT MAJOR PANE OF THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF HAD COMPLETELY SHATTERED CENTER-OUT, PROBABLY ABOUT 2SQFT OF GLASS MISSING. NOTABLY, SEVERAL EDGES AROUND THE NEWLY-FORMED HOLE WERE UPTURNED. THOSE ARE ALL THE DETAILS I CAN REMEMBER. MY VERY STRONG BELIEF IS THAT THE SUNROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT ANY EXTERNAL DEBRIS INVOLVED. THE POSITION OF THE CARTOP CARRIER RELATIVE TO THE HOLE, MY VEHICLE'S POSITION RELATIVE TO OTHER CARS/TRUCKS (NOT TERRIBLY CLOSE), THE FACT THAT I SAW NO OBJECT HURTLING TOWARD THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, THE FACT THAT NO OBJECT WAS FOUND IN BETWEEN THE ROOF AND THE INNER SUNSHADE, THE FACT THAT NO OTHER CARS/TRUCKS BEHIND ME REACTED ... ALL THE SIGNS POINT TO SOMETHING SIMPLY BEING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE.